By: Janie Mason, Mission and Outreach Team Chair
At a recent ministry meeting, St. James Fellowship, SJF, director, Rev. John Patterson, spoke of the Parable of the Sower. [Matthew 13:1-23] He sees all the kinds of ground in those he ministers to. Everyone responds differently to the Gospel. John takes what each has and tries to build on it – constantly preaching the Gospel of Jesus.
John gives about 12+ services a month. At 10 care facilities in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, as well as at the homes of many, SJF workers visit individuals often, get to know them, give loving compassion and friendship as Jesus did. They read the Bible and sing hymns together, listen to their hearts and do what each might need that otherwise would go undone. What a blessing to serve with the true heart of Jesus those who often otherwise are forgotten! And what a blessing for those who receive it. Getting to know people with mobility issues, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, blindness and every affliction of old age, John and his wife, Carol, and the SJF ministry partners, see and serve the spiritual, as well as the physical barriers against a personal relationship with Christ.
John’s ministry – mostly for those 60 to 90 years of age – is a unique ministry. His goal is, by God’s grace, for each to know God better in their 4th quarter of life. John reminds us that our Lord said, “the last shall be first and the first, last.” [Matthew 20:16] Please pray for the ministry and for the people the Fellowship serves. Hebron Church regularly supports this ministry. See Hebron’s Mission page on the church website at hebronchurchpittsburgh.org/missions for more about St. James Fellowship.